2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Foster City, CA vs Raleigh, NC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Raleigh or is it cheaper to live in Foster City?
- Raleigh is 57.7% less expensive than Foster City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Raleigh or Foster City?
- Raleigh housing costs are 80.8% less expensive than Foster City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Foster City or is Health Care more affordable in Raleigh.
- Health related expenses are 19.3% less in Raleigh.
 Foster City, CARaleigh, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.8100
 Food & Groceries117.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock94.8100
 Housing617.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$427,000$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock88.6100
 Miscellaneous162.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Foster City    4 Reviews

Over 17 years ago

Built on lagoons, great climate, good schools, lots of soccer and other sports for kids, plenty of parking and  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

A great city to raise a family, safe, great weather around the year, good schools and plenty of recreation. But only if you can afford the hight cost of  More

   |    Reply

Landlords are able to command and receive high rent due to the following attributes: safety, weather and cleanliness of Foster City. The lagoon, waterways and gardens  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Foster City

Reviews for Raleigh    224 Reviews

I moved to Raleigh in 2018. Before that, I lived in Orange County CA, Boulder CO, South Africa, Northern California, Arizona, and Toronto. I say all this to give  More

   |    Reply

Excellent for a great many people or categories of people. As far as prices: ratio of wage and job opportunity here with housing remains one of the better ones in the  More

   |    Reply

Over 2 years ago

I attended university here in the early 90s and came back around 2005 and never left. I'm surprised at the other negative reviews honestly. Yes, housing is pricey in  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Raleigh


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.